Patton Leadership Institute Travels to Lawrence County for December Session

LOUISA, KY — December 4, 2025 — The Patton Leadership Institute, a program of the Southeast Kentucky Chamber, traveled to Lawrence County on December 4 as part of the ongoing leadership development program’s focus on regional collaboration, economic development, and community engagement.

Participants began the day at Kentucky Power’s Big Sandy Power Plant, where they toured the facility and received an update on community and economic development efforts from Ryan Howell, a PLI 2025 graduate, and Ryan Lake, both External Affairs Managers for Kentucky Power Company. The session highlighted the role of energy infrastructure in Eastern Kentucky’s economic future and the importance of strong partnerships between industry and communities

The group then traveled to downtown Louisa for a visit to The Garden Theatre, where Kim Willard, Resident Director for Mountain Movers Theatre, shared an update on the organization’s impact, preservation efforts, and the role of arts and culture in revitalizing rural communities. The class of emerging leaders also heard an update from the Mayor of Louisa, Harold Slone, who discussed challenges and opportunities he had personally faced while bringing about the vision of growth for the city to life which struck a cord with many in the audience.

“A quote from Mayor Slone really stood out to me, ‘A leader has the ability to make a group of people a team.’” said PLI participant, Michael Shepherd, Web Applications Developer with double kwik. “It’s easy to manage a group of people but getting everyone truly invested and brought into what you’re doing is a different challenge.”
 
The visit concluded with a tour of Savage Farms, led by owner Keith Moore, offering insight into the innovation of his product.

Amanda Goble, Assistant Vice President of Physician Practices at Pikeville Medical Center and a participant in this year’s PLI Class, had this to say about the experience, “Our time in Louisa was a true example of teamwork in action. From the Big Sandy Power Plant employees to city leadership, the community showcased how they come together with a shared commitment to the greater good. Savage Farms Winery was icing on the cake to end a great tour!”

The Patton Leadership Institute is a signature program of the Southeast Kentucky Chamber, designed to develop informed, engaged leaders who are committed to strengthening their communities and the region.

For more information about the Patton Leadership Institute or the Southeast Kentucky Chamber, visit www.sekchamber.com.

 
 
The Southeast Kentucky Chamber of Commerce is located at 178 College Street in Pikeville and serves more than 400 businesses in eight Eastern Kentucky Counties: Floyd, Johnson, Knott, Lawrence, Letcher, Magoffin, Martin, and Pike. The Chamber’s mission is to serve the businesses of Southeastern Kentucky through a commitment to networking, advocacy, education, and collaboration as we partner together to enhance the business climate in our region.
 
 
 
 
Media Contact:
Merisa Ferrell
Director of Programs & Media
Southeast Kentucky Chamber of Commerce
merisa@sekchamber.com
(606) 432-5504